AuctionsApr 20, 2021
Christie’s to Offer 100-Carat Diamond at Auction This SpringAuctionsApr 26, 2021
Hemmerle Jewels Fetch $1.4M at Sotheby’s Auction
It marked the largest single-owner collection of jewels from the storied German jeweler.
Sotheby’s New York brought 19 Hemmerle jewels to the auction block last week, courtesy of the late philanthropist Michelle Smith.
New York—The largest single-owner collection of Hemmerle jewels hit the auction block at Sotheby’s New York Thursday afternoon.
“A Vision: Property from the Collection of Michelle Smith,” garnered $1.4 million for the Hemmerle collection, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of $823,000, with 90 percent of lots selling above their high estimates.
The 19-piece collection belonged to the late philanthropist and art patron Michelle Smith.
She was the daughter of the renowned businessman, real estate developer, and philanthropist Robert Smith and artist Clarice Smith.
Related stories will be right here …
“A Vision: Property from the Collection of Michelle Smith,” garnered $1.4 million for the Hemmerle collection, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate of $823,000, with 90 percent of lots selling above their high estimates.
The 19-piece collection belonged to the late philanthropist and art patron Michelle Smith.
She was the daughter of the renowned businessman, real estate developer, and philanthropist Robert Smith and artist Clarice Smith.
A businesswoman in her own right, Smith served as the vice president of product design and development for Charles E. Smith Residential Realty and its successor, Archstone-Smith.
“Michelle Smith’s vision is epitomized in her jewelry collection, telling the story of a woman who, when she decided she liked a certain style or maker, explored and collected in depth,” said Sotheby’s.
A pair of Hemmerle copper and diamond ear studs sold above estimate for $201,600.
The standout was a pair of copper and diamond ear studs, featuring two old European-cut diamonds weighing 8.81 and 8.80 carats. The pair sold for $201,600, surpassing its $100,000 to $150,000 estimate.
This bronze and colored diamond ring was among the top lots, selling for $176,400.
A bronze and colored diamond ring, set with an 8.05-carat, cushion-cut, light yellowish brown diamond sold for $176,400, more than double its pre-sale estimate
Hemmerle has been known to craft jewelry from out-of-the-ordinary materials, including iron and antique artifacts.
This aluminum and diamond ring showcases Hemmerle’s use of unusual metals. It sold for $151,200.
One such piece, an aluminum and fancy deep brownish greenish yellow diamond ring, sold for $151,200, soaring past the $35,000 to $45,000 estimate.
This necklace, featuring fossilized sea urchin, sold for $32,760.
A bronze and fossilized sea urchin necklace sold for $32,760, more than double the low-end of its $15,000 to $25,000 estimate.
This cuff bracelet, set with peridot and tourmaline, sold for $60,4800.
A brass, wood, peridot, and tourmaline cuff bracelet sold for $60,480, just above the high-end of its $40,000 to $60,000 estimate.
It’s the largest private collection of jewels from the German jeweler seen at auction since a 2019 Sotheby’s auction.
Hemmerle was founded in 1893 in Munich by brothers Joseph and Anton Hemmerle.
Alongside Hemmerle, “A Vision: Property from the Collection of Michelle Smith” also featured lots from Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Bulgari, Suzanne Belperron, René Boivin, and Graff.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Auctions
The Latest
FinancialsAug 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 3% as Engagement Ring Sales RiseThe company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.
Events & AwardsAug 08, 2025
GJEPC’s Jewellers for Hope Celebrates 10 Years of FundraisingThe organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.
TrendsAug 08, 2025
Piece of the Week: Rahaminov Diamonds’ Bezel BangleThe brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
Weekly QuizAug 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
